Page 111 of Redeeming Harmony

“Okay, thanks. Chat with Snoodles’ family. I’ll ask Hal to help,” Nathan said.

Allie pushed through the swinging door, and Nathan walked to the side door that led to the outdoor area. He pushed it open, stepping out into the cool air still damp from last night’s insane storm. Izzie was sniffing along the chain-link fence, her tail wagging happily.

“Hey, Hal? Do you have time to -” Nathan grunted in surprise as he stared at Hal and Savina. The tech had the curvy woman pushed up against the side of the clinic, one hand pinning her wrists against the building above her head, the other resting just below the curve of her breast, with his leg shoved between hers.

Hal turned his head at the sound of Nathan’s voice, staring in surprise at Nathan before immediately releasing Savina and stepping back. Her mouth swollen and red, her face shockingly bright pink, Savina hurried past Nathan toward the door.

“Izzie, come,” she said, her voice high pitched and breathy.

The dog followed her into the clinic, and Nathan and Hal stared at each other for a moment until the Yorkie licked at Nathan’s hand. He cleared his throat. “I need you to hold Peanut for a blood draw.”

His face a mask of stoicism, Hal started toward the door.

Now that Nathan’s shock had worn off, amusement took its place. Trying not to grin, he said, “You have lipstick on your mouth.”

Hal scrubbed his mouth with the palm of his hand, avoiding Nathan’s gaze as he walked past him and into the clinic. Nathan followed him in. There was no sign of Savina or Izzie, and Nathan stayed silent as Hal grabbed what he needed to draw the blood. It wasn’t until Hal held Peanut on the treatment table and Nathan had swabbed her throat with alcohol that he said, “So, you and Savina, huh?”

Hal grimaced. “I apologize for what you walked in on. I’ll understand if you want to fire me for -”

“Whoa, no one’s firing anyone,” Nathan said. “The clinic would descend into chaos without you, Hal.”

He meant what he said. Hal was the best damn vet tech he’d ever worked with. Even if he wasn’t, Nathan could look past Hal’s make-out session during working hours, especially since Nathan himself had fucked Harper right here at the clinic. Talk about being hypocritical.

“It won’t happen again,” Hal said. “I mean that, Nathan.”

“I know,” Nathan said. “I didn’t realize that you and Savina are dating.”

“We’re not,” Hal said shortly. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention what you saw to anyone, especially Harper or Warren.”

“I won’t,” Nathan said. “You have my word.”

Some of the tension eased out of Hal’s shoulders, and he gave Peanut a rough pet to the head. She licked at his hand as he said, “Thanks, Nathan.”

“Sure.” He quickly drew the blood he needed from the Yorkie. “So, Savina thinks Izzie has a UTI?”

Hal seemed relieved to be back on the topic of work. “Yeah. Couldn’t convince Izzie to provide us with a sample here at the clinic, though. Savina said she’d collect one at home and bring it in Monday morning.”

“Sounds good.” Nathan handed the two vials of blood to Hal. “Can you get this ready to send to the lab while I return Peanut to his parents?”

Hal took the vials with a nod, and Nathan picked up Peanut, stroking the top of the dog’s head as he carried him to the front of the clinic.

Fifteen minutes later, Peanut and his family were headed home, and Nathan was back in his office. He studied the schedule. It was depressingly empty for a Saturday afternoon, and Nathan tried not to let depression bog him down. He’d had four clients this morning, three more than last Saturday. Besides, considering how tired he was, it was probably a good thing he didn’t have many clients this afternoon.

He leaned back in his chair and swallowed a gulp of coffee that had long grown cold. The tiredness was worth it. He’d insisted Harper stay in his bed this morning and get more sleep and that she could use his spare house key to lock up when she left. She’d been too sleepy to argue, and he’d kissed her forehead and left for work, leaving Harper and the cats cuddled up together in his bed. Last night he’d felt a real connection with Harper. For the first time, she’d been interested in more than just sex with him, and sharing with her, learning about her, had been the delicious icing on the ‘best sex of his life’ cake.

Yeah, until she made it clear she wasn’t interested in a relationship.

His euphoria faded. It did him no favours to pretend that he and Harper were becoming more than just friends with benefits. She didn’t want that, and he was thankful she’d communicated clearly with him. Until that moment last night, he’d been planning to ask her for more.

For the best that you didn’t. You need to focus on the clinic, get it back on track.

Christ, it was like a broken record inside his brain. Yeah, he needed to focus on the clinic, but a life without Harper suddenly didn’t have much appeal. He was completely gone for this woman, and it was pointless to deny it. He wanted it all, his own clinic and Harper by his side, and for a few glorious hours last night, he’d foolishly convinced himself that she wanted more with him too.

So break it off with her, dumbass. Pretending to be okay with this arrangement is harmful to you and her. You’ll push her for more, she’ll push you away, and it’ll end with anger on both your sides. End it now while you still have the ability to be just her friend.

That was the smart thing to do. The right thing to do. Only Nathan had a sinking feeling that it was already too late for that. He needed Harper in his life and his bed, and if he had to pretend that the sex was meaningless to make it happen, then that’s what he’d do.

His inner voice immediately tried to tell him what a bad fucking idea that was, but thankfully was drowned out when Fatima stuck her head into his office. “Hey, Nathan? Rayna’s here to see you.”

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